Understanding the Different Types of Coffee Beans

Have you ever noticed how the majority of coffee bags in your local grocery store say Arabica Beans or Arabica Coffee? This is because Arabica is one of the most, if not the most, common types of coffee beans, accounting for over 60% of the coffee produced globally. There are many other types and roasting profiles of coffee that you may have never heard of. Many would think that the source of origin of the coffee bean plays the biggest role in the flavor. However, other great factors contribute to the process of how it is marketed and categorized. We’re here to let you know what these factors are and what’s so special about them. So here’s a closer look at each of the most common types of coffee beans.

Robusta

This bean is most popularly used in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It’s the second most-produced globally after Arabica beans and is distinguished by its strong, burnt, or robusta flavor. The Robusta bean contains very high caffeine levels making the plant naturally repellent to insects. The high levels of caffeine also make Robusta a lot more resilient than many Arabica species. Since this plant can tolerate extreme environmental conditions, farmers have more access to grow it in any climate and any number of altitudes. However, it’s not a very popular coffee commodity due to its rubbery or burnt flavor profile. The plant or bean is easier to grow and harvest than Arabica beans, regardless. For this reason, farmers tend to make better profits if they are able to grow and sell Robusta coffee.

Kona

Kona coffee beans are very distinct and specific to precise geographical regions. There are only specific spots where Kona is grown and marketed and unlike many other coffee names that tend to be used loosely, Kona cannot be used as a generic term for coffee beans. It’s known globally that the best Kona Coffee is cultivated and harvested on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island. This coffee bean also tends to be a bit pricier compared to the rest of the species, but coffee enthusiasts don’t seem to mind paying a premium just to taste the rare magical flavor of Hawaiian Kona coffee. In fact, the hype isn’t just about the place where it’s grown, there’s something about the special weather in Hualalai and Mauna Loa that makes these beans superior in taste.

Arabica

Arabica is the most common and most marketed type of coffee bean in many areas of the world. This comes from its flavor being more delicate, sweeter, and less acidic compared to all other coffee varieties. The bean is only farmed in areas that are highly elevated above sea level where there is a frequent pattern of rain. For example, the lush rainforest in Brazil makes it the top exporter of Arabica coffee in the world. However, growing Arabica beans is not really simple. The plants require constant attention to their environment and a lot of pruning in their early stages. Not to mention how this species is prone to disease which makes it a tough challenge to grow quantities of this coffee bean.

Liberica

Being considered a rare treat, Liberica coffee beans stand out with their somewhat woody flavor and their flowery or fruity aroma. Farmers were unable to grow sufficient quantities of Liberica to satisfy its global market, mainly because of the specific climate requirements of this rare plant. However, it’s still surprising to come across this species in your local grocery store. The Philippines were the first to discover, harvest, and sell these beans as a global alternative to Arabica coffee back in the nineteenth century. Now, we witness a tremendous downfall in the Liberica global market after no other country was able to match the mass production of the Philippines’ Liberica coffee.

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Excelsa

Excelsa is the final type on our list here due to it being considered a member of the Liberica coffee bean family. Yet, this species is far more distinct than Liberica coffee. It represents a small percentage of globally produced coffee and is grown mainly in Southeast Asia. It holds a fruitier taste compared to Liberica beans and maintains a unique flavor profile, thanks to both dark roast and light roast attributes of the Excelsa bean. Overall, Excelsa is another rare coffee treat that only coffee enthusiasts would seek after.

Coffee comes in all types of flavors and aromas. It takes a real coffee lover to understand the difference between types and sources of origins. However, once you really get into the “coffee mentality,” you’ll realize there’s more to the beans than meets the eye. Once you learn about their roots and harvesting locations, it becomes easier to pick your favorite type whenever you’re at the supermarket.

How Students Can Get a Mortgage: Best Tips

Getting a mortgage for a property can be quite challenging for students, especially when you don’t have a steady stream of income. In such a scenario, check out the requirements of different lenders before applying for a mortgage. Here, we will share some tips on buying a house as a student.

Best Tips to Get a Student Mortgage

Some students worry about finishing their assignments on time or fulfilling job responsibilities to pay the house rent on time. The life of a student is quite stressful at times. If you are juggling with never-ending assignments with strict deadlines and are looking for an essay writing service that can deliver the task for you, then you should try EduJungles, which is a reliable and authentic writing service provider, helping students submit quality assignments on time. While some students are so careful about their assignments and other responsibilities, others enjoy their student life and carefree days without worrying about the future. However, it is always wise to buy a property of your own at a young age to avoid spending a fortune on monthly rental payments. Before we delve deep into the various tips and tricks on how to get a student mortgage, let us first understand what a student mortgage is? 

All About Mortgages for Students

College students don’t always have to waste their money on rent. What if you leave college, you have saved some money, get home equity and a college degree? Don’t worry; all of this is doable only if you are smart enough to explore all the possibilities. The truth is that being a student getting a property of your own can seem a far-fetched idea, but if you are intent upon buying a house as a student, then you should be able to get a home loan, even while you are studying. One of the many challenges students face is to take out loans for their studies. Most students don’t have the time and liberty to do full-time jobs during school hours. While it is necessary to have a credit history, keeping a good level of cash flow is equally important. If mortgage lenders feel that you are incapable of managing your monthly payments, then your application will be denied.

Eligibility Criteria for Getting a Mortgage

Buying a house with student loans can be challenging. You should know if you fit the bill or not before applying for it. If you are not getting a full-time salary, you will have difficulty proving that you are completely capable of getting a mortgage. There are a few things the lender sees in you before approving the loan. 

  • A credit score that is above 600

  • A steady stream of income that can help you pay your mortgage payments on time

  • A low debt-to-income ratio below 36%

  • A 20% down payment that needs to be paid immediately for a conventional mortgage

If you are able to meet the eligibility criteria, then it should increase your chances of getting a student mortgage.

Buying a House with Student Mortgage

Since student mortgages are gaining popularity, it is quite easy to find a lender. Without a steady stream of income and a full-time job, it becomes a high risk for lenders to approve student loans. However, there are a few strategies that you can have in order to become the best candidate for a house loan. One of them is to deposit a large sum of money and have a mortgage guarantor. Now you may ask, who is a mortgage guarantor? Well, anyone who can give mortgage payments on time in case you feel to do so can become your guarantor. It is usually your grandfather, your father, brother, sister or any blood relative whom you can trust and who can completely support you in case of any problem. There are a few things to consider when choosing a guarantor.

  • Does the guarantor have property where you wish to buy a home?

  • Are they the resident of that country?

  • Are they below 65 years of age at the time of submitting your application?

Can a student get a mortgage?

Your current debt-to-income ratio is perhaps one determining factor that sets you apart from other students. Lenders would prefer those students who have a smaller debt-to-income ratio. For instance, if a student has to pay 500 USD as a monthly mortgage payment and a 400 USD to make for the car payments, and you have a meager salary of USD 1700 because you can only do part-time work due to a hectic schedule at school, you have a high debt-to-income ratio, and you are most likely not a suitable candidate to win the loan.

But if you are able to pay the monthly charges without incurring debt, then/ you may be a suitable candidate for it. Either your family member, guarantor or your employer would pitch in to help you meet your expenses on time.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Student Loan after you Graduate

One of the biggest advantages of getting a student loan is that you get a house of your own. It also establishes good credit when you are able to make your payments on the scheduled time. So, once you graduate, you will have both a house and a degree and a bright future. On the other hand, it is quite risky to start your adult life with debt. Student loan debt can also hamper your other financial and lifestyle goals. There is also a penalty on not making the scheduled payments on time which can affect your financial stability once you graduate as you will be making payments to compensate for the loan.

How to Seek Help?

If you are a student juggling with assignments and other important tasks, then it is always wise to hire the services of a mortgage broker. They can search through the market and find the best deal for you. Also, make sure you are not required to stay in school and can commit to the location. You will also be required to save some costs in the maintenance and upkeep of the house. Once you graduate, you can always rent out your home as people are always coming in and moving out and looking for a place to live. It can be a good investment in the long run.

We hope we have answered your query. Can a student get a mortgage? Remember, it is always safe to appoint a guarantor who can pay on your behalf in case you are not able to pay for your monthly payments, and voila! You will have a property of your own.

Great Guide to Investing in Student Accommodation

Looking to invest in student accommodation? Not sure what kind of accommodation and location you should invest in? If so, you're at the right place. This guide will help make the right decision without dealing with any complications. So, read on to find out all you need to know about student property investment.

Investing in a Student Property

Are you an active property investor? Do you review the various kinds of investment available in real estate? Then you are probably aware of student property investment opportunities. But, if you are not, now is a good time to know in detail what it has to offer you.

Each year, hundreds of individuals head for university, leaving the family nest. Despite the huge expenses, the number of students opting for higher education is continuing to grow. Moreover, the number of international students is expected to increase by 10% over the next ten years. Most of them look for shared accommodation and part-time jobs to minimize their expenses. Services like WriteMyEssay help these students manage their studies with work. Knowing this very fact, hundreds of students getting their higher education and manage their life pretty effectively. So, let's take a detailed look at student investment.

What students look for in an accommodation?

The majority of students today are ready to pay high rent for a caring landlord and good quality accommodation. Even though there are several cheap options available, they prefer living in a better place. So, are you looking forward to investing in student property? If so, here are some tips:

● Make sure the house is well-maintained and fully furnished. This will give them a good option to spend their student life in.

● It is better to invest in student accommodation that has a good size communal area. Since most students are pretty social, having a big lounge can be a great selling point.

● Add some additional kitchen appliances such as a toaster, dishwasher, microwave, etc. It would make their busy lives easier.

● Include free internet access or a TV connection. This would make you stand out from the rest.


Which location is the best?

London attracts a great number of students every year. No wonder why it Is the number choice for many investors out there. But, it is also the most expensive place if you're just getting into this business. So, make sure you choose the right property and the right area according to your initial investment.

According to the Student Property Index 2012, "London will remain a top opportunity for the student property investors along with Edinburgh, Durham, Manchester, Kingston a, and Brighton." So, choose the city or town that attracts the most students. 

A good tip is to focus on towns and cities with universities offering a high proportion of engineering, science, technology, and math. These universities have higher chances of concentrated government investment.

Types of Student Accommodation 

Now the question arises what type of accommodation will be ideal to invest in? The answer is all types depending upon the location of the accommodation. The types include big multi-room apartments, studio flats, private halls of residence, etc. Usually, no of students living in a single house is considered ideal. 

The trick here is to own a property in which you may rent out multiple tenants charging on per study basis. This gives you maximum return on investment for the property. You may also buy a big house or flat to rent out different rooms or get your hands on big halls of residence. 

Another aspect is the location of the property. The closer it is to the university, the higher the rent. The ideal location is just opposite the university campus or in close vicinity of the institute. The property should at least be accessible through walking or biking to be called an ideal location. If a property is far from the campus, it should have a public transport facility that may commute students to the nearby city center as well.

Taking the landlords insurance

Are you 100% sure about investing in student accommodation? If you're nodding your head in yes, consider taking landlords insurance. This insurance helps you to protect your investment. It covers various accidental damage such as floods, fires, and broken windows. In addition, the insurance policy also allows you to cover lost rent payments. In case the accommodation is no more habitable. Insurance is to secure your investment in a time of crisis. The tenants can also be provided with alternate accommodation till the property is being repaired.


Things to keep in mind when purchasing a property

No matter what kind of investment you make, it is recommended that you always do thorough research before purchasing. Investment in student accommodation is no different from any other kind of investment. So, carefully pick your property. The area you are planning to invest in needs in-depth research. Also, it is a good idea to check the number of applications every university gets each year. Places, where universities recruit a good number of international students, can be your top investment location. In short, do your calculations carefully. Ensure that the accommodation you're choosing is within your budget. Also, that it is suitable for students; if it lacks some elements, make sure you fix everything. For instance, ascertain it is fully furnished, well-decorated, and clean. 

Additionally, the location of your house/flat is often the key to success. The closer it is to all the amenities and the university, the better the chances of high income.

You may also take help from agents to market your property. Doing so will help you know that the tenants moving in have been referenced and credit checked. It will give you great peace of mind.

Besides, it is a good idea to market your rental space even when it is full. It will provide you with a list of students wishing to move in. Consequently, when a tenant moves out, you would have another one waiting to move in. Hence, your property would never be empty.

Decision-making when investing

There are several independent land and property investment professionals that offer support and expert advice to the clients. These experts help their clients to achieve their real estate goals.

So, if you are confused about a certain house or flat, it is a good idea to contact a specialist. Discuss your budget and options with them, and receive the best possible advice. After all, your one wrong decision could cost you your initial investment.

All in all, investing in student property is a great option if you're a real estate investor. But, like all other investments, it is crucial to do your research well before you purchase. This is sure to help you make the right decisions that would help you achieve your investment goals.

6 Ways To Throw An Epic Backyard Party

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The first thing that’d probably pop in someone’s head when they hear the word ‘party’ is fun. A party isn’t a party if people won’t have a great time. It’s a day where people can take a pause in reality and be able to enjoy a day full of happiness, without worries.  

If you’re throwing a party, ensure that you throw an epic one. To allow for maximum space and fun, hosting your party in your backyard would be a great idea as you’ll have plenty of room for guests, along with fewer worries about the furniture you’ll use. Moreover, listed below are the ways on how you can throw the most epic backyard party.

1. Use A Reliable Griller 

A backyard party would never be complete without barbeques and burger patties!  Since your backyard is a perfect space to grill those must-have foods, you must have a reliable griller that can promise you maximum flavor and consistency with your food.  

Ideally, you should purchase yourself standard or portable grills that can fit your backyard size and party needs. This way, you can easily pop up your griller and allow the party to be the best one ever!  Don’t forget to purchase enough meat for everyone to devour. Ideally, you should buy more than the guests you’re anticipating as you can never anticipate uninvited guests, along with guests who’d like to have more of your good food.  

2. Provide Enough Seating 

A party should be fun, not exhausting. When you don’t provide your guests with enough seating, you can expect them to get tired immediately, and focus their day on finding a place to sit down, rather than mingle and have fun.  

For your backyard party, you should spread out as much seating as possible. It would be great if you could match it with small tables so they’d have something to lay their glasses and plates on as well. If you’re having a day backyard party, you might want to provide a cover to keep your guests away from the scorching sun, especially if they’re not planning to have a sun-kissed tan.  ‘

3. Incorporate A Theme 

A party is much more enjoyable when you incorporate a theme to it. To make the party much more relatable, adding a motif would be helpful to bring the guests into a party mood. A party would only look dull if you just lay out the table and chairs in your yard. To make it enticing and exciting, you should add decorations that match the theme that you’re going for.  Decoration of your backyard wouldn't be complete if you add only small DIY decorations. In addition to those, bring huge and colorful personalized inflatables that will entertain not only your guests but their children as well. Finding the proper bouncy house or water slide for a themed party might be challenging because the wholesale market does not provide a large variety of inflatables. Instead, with the help of inflatable manufacturers, you can design your dream bouncy house and get the perfect after-party photos of your friends. For a theme, you can pick a Jurassic World theme or even a Marvel Avengers theme party. If you have enough kids at this party, they will surely like it.

For a party mood, you should add banners, balloons, lanterns, flower arrangements, and more into your backyard. As you add party decorations, ensure that they go fluidly with one another and match your theme perfectly.

4. Prepare Plenty And Yummy Foods 

No one likes to go to a party without any delicious foods on the table. To allow the party to be enjoyable, you should prepare plenty and yummy foods for everyone to enjoy. Apart from the main meal that you’re planning to feed your guests with, you should also prepare snacks and appetizers as guests could get hungry during the entire party. Enhance your snack offerings by utilizing custom gummy molds. These molds allow you to create unique and flavorful gummy treats that cater to various tastes, offering a fun and delightful addition to your party's spread.

To allow everyone to have fun, it would be great if you could provide food options for your vegan guests as well. Of course, everyone needs to come home with a full and yummy stomach. When you keep your guests’ appetite satisfied, they’ll remember the good times they had at your party.  

5. Keep The Beverage Flowing 

Apart from foods, you should also keep your guests hydrated. No one likes to enjoy eating heavy meals without a drink on their hand. It’ll just be much more difficult to swallow the food and may prevent them from eating more.  

For your beverage, you should have an area wherein your guests can refill their drinks themselves so they won’t get too shy about asking you for another round of drinks. Ideally, you should provide as many options as possible as not everyone has the same taste when it comes to beverages.  

If you’re throwing a no-minor backyard party, you should have a keg and few cases with you for an endless supply of booze. This way, you can truly allow the adults to have fun and party.  

6. Don’t Forget The Music 

A party would only look pale and dull without any music in the background. Before the party starts, you should play party music to get the guests in party mode. You can spread out speakers in your yard that’ll help surround the place with plenty of fun and great music.  

When playing music, ensure that you don’t play it extremely loud, especially if you have neighbors. You don’t want your party to be full of noise complaints!  

Before you get the party started, create a playlist of party music that’ll last for up to six hours, so you won’t have to worry about the selection of music during the party.  

Conclusion 

Throwing a backyard party can entail stressful preparations. But, once you get the party started, allow everyone to enjoy and have a good time. Ensure that you provide everyone with everything they need, and allow yourself to have fun as well!